Shawn Stutz

I heard yet another story of a guy that has allowed the moral temptations of the enemy to “sniper” him on the battlefield. That makes three guys in a matter of two weeks that I’ve heard about from major spheres of influence. The kingdom of darkness definitely has its target set upon the officers of the kingdom of heaven.

As one who is an officer in training, I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to grant me the power and the purity to guard my heart and mind! May we all remember we are a part of the kingdom and the enemy is not happy. Here are a few verses to strengthen you for the battle.

• Luke 21:34
• I Peter 5:8-9
• Proverbs 4:23

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This is EXTREMELY WILD! I found this posted on ThinkChristian.net
“Okay, now I’ve seen it all! Biker Jesus action figure. There’s also Rodeo Jesus, Surfer Jesus, Football Jesus, Soccer Jesus, and “Will Work for Food” Jesus.”

Check it out yourself: wearefishermen.com

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Today at work we sat down around a table and listened to a great contemplative-style teacher by the name of Alan Fadling. There was so much said in a matter of three hours that made me think long and hard all day. Below I’ve listed some key insights from what Alan shared with us.

• Prayer is more than just a concept, but a true practice of power.
• The greatest key to “small groups” is that we are meeting with people in community centered around the person of Jesus
• Salvation is a relationship with the Father, reconciled through the work of the Son, by the power of the Spirit.
• If encounters with Jesus were overflow experiences of the fruit(s) of the Spirit– then imagine the true depths of His love, joy, peace, patience, etc. Are we living examples of overflow of the Spirit or just “spills & leakage”. That is truly a powerful thought when related to one’s personal life.
• “We are NOT to have an about Christ life, but an in Christ life. And I wonder if the greatest challenge we have in Christian leadership is the stewardship of our own walk/relationships with Christ.”
• How many times do we do things “in church” and not always “in Christ”?
• Our prayers for people we lead ought to address their inner life and how they can fully abide in Christ.
• John 15 calls for us to abide in the Vine, Jesus.

The more I thought about this teaching of the Vine the more I realized vines don’t go anywhere. Worse yet, branches on the vine don’t go anywhere. I began to think how I want to be a “go getter, a traveler, a mover and a shaker” for the kingdom– but branches don’t go anywhere. Soon enough, I started to see that my focus was on the wrong thing. First of all, the point is that no matter where I go, I remain in Christ. But greater still, my ambition can often cloud my relationship with God and my investment in the kingdom. I am to remain IN Christ and disciple others. That is the mission of my life. Therefore, here is a really powerful thought– branches don’t go anywhere, but grapes do.

May the grapes of my relationship with Christ travel the globe. May my long term investment in people shake the world like finely aged fruit. May generations to come be able to say, “This Stutz in Christ, it’s a good year…”

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My mind was racing last night during Rick’s talk about the familiar “come to me” passage of Matthew 11:28-30. The more that he said the word “yoke”, the more I thought of its shape. The wooden picture on the left is that of an ox yoke. Two oxen (from the “woods-enen“) would be harnessed into this primitive farming machine. In tandem, they would plow the field; sharing the load and the effort.

Our relationship with Christ relates so well to this theme. Jesus invites us to share the yoke with Him; actually that we might wear His yoke. Jesus’ yoke is light; without burden or strain. He journeys with us. He guides us toward the path of righteous for His Name’s sake. He tills the ground for the seed of the gospel to be planted (and sprout) within us.

As I sat there, I began to picture myself taking on a physical yoke. It was as though it were being laid on my shoulders. My arms immediately rose to steady the wooden beam as I walked with Jesus. As I imagined this happening, an odd truth began to set it: you lift your hands in surrender. When you’ve given in and relinquished your authority to that of one greater, your hands go up. “All to Jesus, I surrender…”

This was not the surrender that led to the ancient stocks of slavery. No, this was a surrender towards freedom by submitting to the Kingdom and teachings of Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness. There I was, in my chair, but somehow mystically I was walking with Jesus with my hands spread out on the cross beam of His yoke; the One who’s burden is light! (Hands spread on a cross sounds like a yoke of self-denial to me… you?)

May you, this week, be yoked together with Jesus; practicing His teachings and partnering with Him in submission (not slavery)!

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“CAUTION: It’s from Letterman!” :: Frank Caliendo – Letterman Appearance

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The more I’ve thought about it… Sunday was a lot of fun. We had a great time discussing some often controversial topics of the Christian faith. People get so crazed about doctrine, but it’s the mortar of our faith. I have come to believe that if we can’t have healthly discussions about our faith then maybe we’re truly insecure about what we believe. You see… doctrine isn’t dangerous. It’s actually pretty exciting when we watch it intersect real life.

Click to here the first “YOU ASKED!”, XRDS Q & A.

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Yes, I was venting a bit yesterday. Vents were definitely created to release pressure and for that I’m grateful. On a brighter side, I have finished a few good books recently. A week long vacation provides quite a bit of time. Check them out here— they make for a good read.

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I watched the news today. That’s a big deal for me. I’m not a huge news fan for multiple reasons, and to be truly honest my idea of news is ESPN. And that’s where I started. I am quick to admit that I love sports; however, what’s the deal with these NFL contracts lately. These guys sound like my kids arguing over whose bowl has more ice cream in it.“They put a franchise tag on me and know I’m not going to get paid what I’m worth!” says a certain defensive back. What? Are you truly worth 8 million to tackle a 250 lb. man carrying an oval pigskin? I love football, but are you serious? A recent Red Sox pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka, wasn’t even willing to talk with team owners until they pony-ed up 50 million dollars! I talk to be all the time, and I’ve never thought of asking for 50 million dollars!

That was the first program. The second one was horrifically somber; the Virginia Tech School shooting. I was completely shocked and sickened. I was hearing the news, but I found it difficult to be true. It’s disturbing to even think people were trying to catch the sounds and sights on their cell phone, but what a love for media we have in the States. Thirty-three confirmed dead; students, faculty, and the gunman.

As I pondered the news I had taken in, I was struck with utter disgust. On one hand a man with a good arm who talks for 50 million and the other hand students, a campus, and victimized families facing chaos and tragedy. There is such a paradox in our world about what we consider important and news-worthy. We haven’t even addressed the Darfur or homeless man in the local city park.

Oh, my heart is torn. The world is so filled with turmoil. “Come Lord Jesus, Come!” or give us the wisdom and grace to be great ambassadors in Your Name!

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I had the privilege of participating in the Passover Seder at the local Jewish Synagouge last week. It was such an honor to be invited, included, and accepted by a people who really didn’t know me. The Seder, as with many Jewish ceremonial times, was very family-oriented.  And it was definitely exciting to be included as part of the family.

The Seder, which means order, is a linear event meal which commemorates the events of the Exodus and the Passover.  Within the Seder meal itself, the story of the slavery of God’s people, the call of Moses, and the plagues of God’s great power are communicated. And, although my Jewish friends don’t incorporate Christian Messiah into the story, I can’t help but, in my own mind, see that foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Here are few interesting metaphorical elements of the Seder {from a Christian mindset}.

• The focus on sharing the story of God’s rescue of the Israelites with the children is awesome. There is no more powerful expression of passing ones faith on  to the next generation than this (Duet. 6). I can picture grandfathers of old sitting around a table sharing the story of the Exodus; the whole multiple generations reclining at the table listening with great attentiveness
• The Afikoman, a broken piece of Matzah bread, is held in ransom at one point during the dinner.  Until this bread is redeemed by the Seder leader, the meal will not end. It is the final portion of broken bread eaten in the whole meal. After this is found, ransomed, and eaten, there is no more need for food. To me this is such a powerful foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He died once for all. His body, the Bread of Life, was broken and given as a ransom. And after His sacrifice, there is no more need for sacrifice {of blood by man… God became the lamb}. The covenant has been fulfilled fully in the Messiah, Christ Jesus.
• At the end of the ceremony a cup is set out for the Elijah– the prophet who will declare the coming of the Messiah. I believe this second Elijah to be John the Baptizer, the very cousin of Christ talked about in the gospel narratives. He came to prepare a way for the Messiah.

I know that my Jewish brothers and sisters don’t agree with all my conclusions; however, it’s just too hard not to see these metaphors as I read the whole of Christian scripture.

But what I really appreciated more than anything was being included even though they knew I was a pastor with these thoughts and beliefs.  I had such a great time. A lot can be said for Jewish love, family, and hospitality. And a lot can also be said for their zeal for life and their love of a great party too! {…’coming around the mountain…}  Amen.

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There is this recent Volkswagen commercial in which a man is ranting about the signs of the times and the woes of society downfall. During his outdoor cafe poetic freestyle, a white Jetta zips by announcing that there are three Volkswagen under $17,000. The cantor pauses and then shares softly, “Hope, springs, white”.

What if hope were really to spring white? What if this season was not a pastel party for plastic egg makers and chocolatiers? What if yard hunts and eggs, as family fun as they are, disappeared? What if instead of the pastel palette of the grocery store candy aisle we began to see hope spring pure white? It’s the white glory of a resurrected Jesus… the white purity of freedom from the stain of sin… the white cleansing of salvation… the white hope of a clean, blank future to walk with the God who saved us; filling the whiteboard of time with the greatness of His glory.

I think pastel screams too much of commercialism while white declares something so pure, so hopeful, and so powerful.

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